Lindeman Mt Col

Sept. 13, 2021 -- Stats: 11.9 km / 1165m elevation gain / 2010m high point / 5.5 hours MT

Our goal was to get to the col. Once there, we'd regroup and make a decision as to whether to stay put, go down to the lake or up to the summit. Steve and I had summited Mt. Lindeman July 31, 2016 with a group of 6. It was an exciting climb, on a new trail that many COCers had put countless hours into building, with Harry Waldron spear-heading the project.

We were able to shave off several km of walking on the flat FSR, thanks to Steve's side-by-side.

Negotiating the big washout area, that hadn't been there 5 years ago.

The Rexford Range.

The FSR narrowed about a km before it ended.

At this point, 2 km from where we'd parked, we turned left, climbing steeply alongside Centre Creek for half an hour.

After crossing an overgrown FSR the trail was not as steep.

Very careful steps. Everything was moist because of the previous days' rainfall.

At the meadow we'd climbed 500m. This was the end of the forest trail and the beginning of another 600m's worth of climbing on boulders.

Lindeman Peak to the left.

The trail was well marked. Once on the boulders fields there were ample flagging tapes & cairns. And the grade became steep once again.

Looking back.

Father & daughter.

Would the clouds clear? The forecast was for clear skies after 1:00pm.

Views from the col.

Upper Hanging Lake -- south.

This end drains into the lower Hanging Lake.

To the right is the way to the summit. It would've been another 300m climb.

Group shot: Steve, Colleen, Terry & I. We decided to call this our turn-back point. The clouds were not dispersing like they were supposed to.

Down we went.

A sketchy very steep section.

Ya, sure. Just when we're back at the base of the boulder section. Lindeman was being a tease. Well we'll just have to come back next year....

A big step down.

We all took turns doing a tumble here and there. Especially during the descent in the wet forest where the roots were very slippery.

Dodging the bog.

This is the route we took in 2016 to the summit. This time we'd parked farther in and ended at the col above upper Hanging Lake. That's Chilliwack Lake to the right and lower Hanging lake at the bottom right, most of it being in the USA.

July 2016 pic. A view from the summit.